Extreme Wanderlust: Homesick for the UK

Have you ever missed something so badly that it very nearly physically hurts your heart to not have it? That you would do damn near anything to get it? That’s how my day has gone.

It was only two study abroad trips but my time in the UK was so life-changing that I would solidly call it home. With soul searching, traveling, being away from what I had previously known as home, and feeling really, truly, as though I was in a place where I fully belonged.

2011. College vs. the UK

Senior in college, getting ready to face the work force head-on, excited to see the world, I hopped on a plane to live and study theatre and dance in London. Those three months (and one week and one day according to my father- but who’s counting?) were exactly what I needed. To get away from everything I knew and just be me for a while. We had day trips everywhere from Oxford to Cambridge, Canterbury, Windsor, Eton, Stratford-upon-Avon, and so much more. We spent time traveling north to York, Edinburgh, and the Lakes District (which has become our honeymoon destination. Go figure). I danced in studios across London and got to immerse myself in the theatre culture there. It was like living in a dream.

Climbing Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh

Whitehall

Borough Market

Greenwich

Kew gardens. I got attacked by the grass.

Fabulousness at Craigmillar Castle

Tea in Cambridge

Elephant House in Edinburgh- J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter here. The toilets are full of Harry-related graffiti.

Dancing atop Arthur’s Seat

Sheep at Blenheim Palace

So Happy! at Hampton Court Palace

Dancing at the Roman Baths

Fish n Chips in Canterbury

Elizabeth Tower as seen through the London Eye

That love affair with my camera at Kew Gardens

Windsor

2013. Librarians in London

Even shorter. One whirlwind of a month. Living right on the South Bank near the National Theatre. Studying libraries and archives. And Shakespeare. And even more transformative. I made lifelong friends this time. Traveled to some new places and to some of my favorite places in the world. More time in the Lakes District, time in Dalkeith and Edinburgh, visiting old friendships forged last time and enjoying new experiences. Adventures in hiking, climbing, kayaking, and swimming completed this trip.

Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich

Rock climbing in the Lakes District

After said climb, a glorious feast! We found this adorable little vegetarian bed and breakfast. Hello delicious vegan BLT.

We climbed that! Then went swimming in Lake Grasmere. This was not the time for cute bikinis.

Photo op, Millennium Bridge, London

Atop Helm Crag. That view was stunning. that lake down there is the one we swam in later that day.

The lovely little town of Grasmere.

Nerd card. Trip to Cardiff to explore Doctor Who.

An inviting little set of stone steps leading up up up and into the sky.

Goofing off in Edinburgh, like I do.

Somerset House.

Atop Arthur’s Seat. Again.

Dalkeith House. We stayed here. While the insides have been gutted into dorm-style living, the facade and grounds help their old charm. It was a dream.

Photo op on the South Bank. Bubbles bringing uninhibited pure joy.

Sometimes, the travel bug bites. And when it does, it bites HARD. I would give nearly anything to go back. And we will get to when we arrive at honeymoon. And in the meantime, I will just have to continue longing to go back. And exploring more attainable destinations.

Have you had any life-changing travel experiences? Share your stories in the comments!

4 Comments

What an amazing trip you had! It’s such a magical place across the pond — I get homesick for it too (even though it’s never been my home!). Loved reliving your adventures tho — it’s the next best thing!